**Bitcoin Miner Hits Jackpot with Tiny Device**

In an unexpected twist, a Bitcoin mining device with a modest hashrate of just 500 gigahashes per second (Gh/s) successfully mined a block on July 24. The block, valued at around $206,000, was mined using a Bitaxe device, roughly the size of a human hand, as reported by Altair Technology.

- **Device & Service**: The Bitaxe, produced by D-Central Technologies, was connected to Solo CKPool, a service allowing miners to mine solo.

- **Odds**: With the Bitcoin network's total hash power at 552.49 exahashes per second (Eh/s), the Bitaxe had a 1 in 1.1 billion chance of mining a block.

- **Electricity Costs**: Despite the low odds, solo mining can be costly due to electricity consumption, making this success akin to winning a lottery.

This event highlights the ongoing debate over the centralization of Bitcoin mining, with some enthusiasts advocating for solo mining as a decentralized alternative.